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The largest island in the Caribbean, Cuba is one of the most fascinating countries of Latin America. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore UNESCO World Heritage sites with stunning colonial architecture and old American cars cruising the streets, as well as enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery, preserved habitats and a wealth of unspoilt tropical beaches.
Cuba General Information
National Name: Republic of Cuba President: Fidel Castro (1976) Area: 42,803 sq mi (110,860 sq km) Population (2005 est.): 11,346,670 (growth rate: 0.3%); birth rate: 12.0/1000; infant mortality rate: 6.3/1000; life expectancy: 77.2; density per sq mi: 265 Capital and Largest City (2003 est.): Havana, 2,686,000 (metro. area), 2,343,700 (city proper) Other Large Cities: Santiago de Cuba, 554,400; Camagüey, 354,400; Holguin, 319,300; Guantánamo, 274,300; Santa Clara, 251,800 Monetary Unit: Cuban Peso Language: Spanish Ethnicity/Race: mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1% Monetary Unit: Cuban Peso Religion: The Constitution of the Republic of Cuba guarantees total freedom of worship. Catholicism is the most widespread religion. Afro-Cuban religions, the outcome of syncretism between pantheons of African origin and catholic saints, are also very popular. Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style flat two-pin plugs are generally used, except in certain large hotels where the European round two-pin plug is standard. GDP/PPP (2004 est.): $33.92 billion; per capita $3,000 Real Growth Rate: 3% Economy: The Cuban economy has two main bases: tourism and the sugar industry. Other major sectors include: tobacco, coffee, rum, honey, cacao and citric fruits. There is also the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries, as well as construction materials, fishing, nickel mining (the country holds the largest open face reserves in the world), copper, magnesium and refractory chrome. Natural Resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land. Major Trading Partners: Netherlands, Canada, Russia, Spain, China, Venezuela, Italy. Opening Hours for Commercial Activities: The big majority of commerce and office hours is from 8:00 or 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The banks close at 3:00 pm. Many stores close after 12:30 pm on Sundays. Communications: Cuba has a telephone network service that guarantees direct communication with any part of the world and within any part of its own territory.
Hot, sub-tropical climate all year. Most rain falls between May and October and hurricanes can occur in autumn (August to November). Humidity varies between 75 per cent and 95 per cent. Cooler months are January to April when the least rain falls.
Required Clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens most of the year; the high humidity makes it unwise to wear synthetics close to the skin. Light waterproofs are advisable all year round.
Money
Currency: The national currency is the Cuban Convertible Peso that circulates in the national territory and its exchange value is set by the National Bank of Cuba. One Cuban peso equals 100 cents. The circulatory bills are those of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 50 pesos and coins of 1 and 3 pesos. The fractional coins are 1, 2, 5, 20 and 40 cents. It is forbidden the import or export of the Cuban currency.
Prices are set in CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso). Tourist facilities and other services operate in CUC, so it is highly recommended to exchange your currency at the bank offices located at the airport or at hotels or other services.
All the foreign currencies must now be exchanged for Cuban pesos where a 10 per cent commission will be charged and 8 per cent additional for the US dollars. In some tourist and large urban areas, the Euro is also accepted.
Credit & Debit Cards: MasterCard and Visa are increasingly accepted, provided they are not issued by a US bank, but check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. American Express and other cards issued by US banks are not accepted.
Travellers Cheques: US Dollar, Sterling and other major currencies are accepted, but US Dollar cheques issued by US banks are not acceptable (including overbranded cheques from other banks worldwide). The white exchange paper received upon encashment must be retained.
Banking Hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1330-1500, Sat 0830-1030. Hours may vary and banks may be open all day in larger cities.
Health & Safety
Cuba 's system of primary health care covers the entire country and is considered to be unique in Latin America. Health services are free for all Cubans. There is an extensive network of centers (442 health clinics and 281 hospitals), in addition to other specialized institutions. The infant mortality rate is 7.1 per thousand live births and life expectancy at birth is 75.2 years. Cuba is among the six nations of the world that produces interferon (INF).
Its type B and C meningitis vaccinations and hepatitis B are unique in the world. These achievements have been made possible thanks to the existence of 211 research-production scientific centers and institutes.
Food & Drink: Mains water is chlorinated and, whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of stay. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafoods and fruit are generally considered safe to eat.
Medical Care and Insurance: Around 95 % of hotels have a doctor on the premises for the provision of primary care to patients. In addition, there are eight international clinics that offer specialist treatment in Pinar del Río,Varadero, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Cayo Coco, Santa Lucía, Guardalavaca and Santiago de Cuba. It is advisable for all tourists traveling to Cuba to do so with health insurance, which is available on the island from the company Asistur, S.A.
Health Regulations: Health regulations are only applicable to travelers from countries where there is endemic yellow fever and cholera, or countries declared infected areas by the WHO, in which case an International Vaccination Certificate is required. There are restrictions on the import of animal or vegetable.
Visa & Passport
Passports: Passports valid for at least six months after the departure date from Cuba required by all nationals without diplomatic representation in Cuba. Persons of Cuban origin who are nationals of other countries must travel with a Cuban passport if they left Cuba after 1970.
Visa: To enter the country the visitor should have a visa issued by a Cuban consulate. The visa can be renewed at the main hotels of the country if the visitor stays in Cuba longer than the time granted on the visa.
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Cuba History
Christopher Colombus arrived at Cuban shores on October 27th, 1492. He said: "This is the most beautiful land yet seen by human eyes". Two different worlds encountered each other.
Some time later, at the beginning of the XVI century, Diego Velazquez began the colonization of the country, founding the first seven villages: Baracoa, Bayamo, Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus, Puerto Príncipe (now called Camagüey) and San Cristóbal de La Habana.
When the aborigine population disappeared, due to diseases brought by the Spaniards, ill-treatment by the colonialists and exploitation as slaves, they were replaced by African negroes. After a long process of their syncretism with the Spaniards, both gave birth to the creole and the Cuban, and to the formation of the Cuban nationality.
The history of the island has been marked by constant struggle for independence, beginning on October 10th, 1868. The struggle would go through different stages: first, against the colonial power, later against direct domination by the United States and its ruling through servants and supported national governments, until its culmination with the acquisition of true independence and sovereignty with the triumph of the Revolution, on January 1st, 1959.
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